Special Tests

ELY Test

Muscles:

• Tight Rectus femoris

• Should have at least 90 degrees of knee flexion

Position:

• Prone

• Hip at 0 degrees

• Should have 90 of knee flexion

• Common for positive test after TKA

• “Normal” for young adults = 125-132

Hamstring Length Test

Muscles:

• Tight Hamstring

Position:

• Hip kept at 90

• popliteal angle measured

• Norms vary;

  • check “univolved” side if there is one

• 70-80 is normal

• (Goni reads 20 —> 90-20=70)

Straight Leg Raise Test (Hamstring 2nd test)

Looks at hamstring length if tight

Position

• supine

Clinician

• Hand on ankle on knee

• Push leg towards body

• Keep knee straight

• Look for 70-80 degrees

Thomas Test

Testing for tight rectus femoris or iliopsoas

If abduction and ER —> tight sartorius

If internal and adduction —> tight TFL

Position

• Sit on edge of table

• Grab under thing

• Lay onto back and pull knee to chest

• Look for 180 degrees on opposite leg hanging off

Clinician

• Stand on test leg

• Look for if leg is above horizontal

• Leg being tested

  • Knee flexed and doesn’t drop —> rect fem

  • If knee straight and doesn’t drop —> iliopsoas/anterior capsule

Straight Leg Test (Knee Bent)

Tight hamstrings

Position

• Supine

• Flex hip to 90

• Take number —> subtract from 90

Ober’s Test

Looks for tightness in TFL/IT Band

Position

• sidelying

• Flex lowermost leg for stability

Clinician

• Stand on opposite side

• Stabilize hand on pelvis

• Other hand under knee

Test:

• try to drop leg off table (behind other leg)

Modified Ober Test

Looks for tightness in TFL

Position

• sidelying

• Flex lowermost leg for stability

• Keep uppermost knee straight

Clinician

• Stand on opposite side

• Stabilize hand on pelvis

• Other hand under knee

Test:

• try to drop leg off table (behind other leg)

• Flex the knee

Eli Test

• Prone

• Bend knee

• Rectus femoris will stop knee if tight

• Beyond 90 - Negative

Gastroc Length Test

Looks for tight gastrocs

• Sitting

• Towel under calf

• Dorsiflex

• Use goniometer

  • Have at 90

• Try to push back 0

  • 0 is normal